Polymers are Chains (K-2)

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In this activity, learners make a paper model of a polymer, then make Silly Putty, an actual polymer. For the model, learners make chains of paper dolls and color them in different ways to represent different types of monomers. The doll stencil is not included, but can be improvised. Shaking the chains in a bag simulates making the polymer. For the Silly Putty, learners mix saturated borax with Elmer's glue. There are two versions of this activity, one written for grades K-2, one for 3-6, with the older version including some additional materials testing, and some variation in the Silly Putty mixture.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per student
Age Range:
Ages 4 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Model
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

  • 2
 plastic 
cups
  • 1
 bottle
 of 
saturated 
borax
 solution
  • 1
 pair
 of
 scissors
  • 1
 bottle 
of 
Elmer's 
glue
  • 1
 scotch 
tape
  • 1
 plastic
 pipette
  • 1
 plastic
 stirrer
  • 1
 plastic
 shopping
 bag
  • 1
 boy
 stencil (MISSING)
  • 1 
girl
 stencil (MISSING)
  • 4
 pieces
 of 
large
 white 
paper
 (3-6)
  • 2 
squares 
of 
black 
plastic
 bag
 (3-6)
  • 2
 squares
 of
 brown
 paper
 bag
 (3-6)
  • 1 
piece 
of 
rubber
 band
 (Cut)
 (3-6)
  • 1 
1/2 
Tbs
 (3-6)
  • pencil (3-6)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Physical Sciences
    • Chemistry
    • States of Matter
      • Solids
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data

Informal Categories

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Toys

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Shaw, Maisie ; Gomez, Maria

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Passport to Chemistry Adventure Program, Mount Holyoke College, 2009

Funding Source:

  • Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.